Interview with Josh Trangle,UX Architect at Allstate

Josh Trangle is a graduate of the Quartz Cohort. Originally from Cleveland, Josh worked as a teacher and nonprofit manager before coming to DESIGNATION to pursue a career in UX Design.

Where do you work, and what’s your job title?
I work for Allstate as a User Experience Architect.

Tell us briefly about Allstate.
Allstate has a number of digital insurance- and car-related products they are continuously innovating. I work on an agile Scrum team, with specialists in UX, visual design, content strategy, research, and development.

Tell us briefly about your job.
As a UX architect, my primary responsibilities are information architecture and interaction design for Allstate’s responsive website. My day-to-day consists of concept ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing for a wide range of website features and task flows. I work with talented people with a wide array of backgrounds.

What did you do professionally before you started at DESIGNATION? And where did you live?
I was at a Chicago nonprofit called Greenheart where I worked with international exchange students. Before that, I spent a few years in South Korea and Israel teaching English.

How did you hear about DESIGNATION? And why did you decide to attend?
My friend Jeff who graduated from DESIGNATION encouraged me to apply. I’ve always been torn between pursuing a career in a creative field and doing something more analytical. UX is just the right balance of the two, and allows me to think with both halves of my brain. DESIGNATION was the perfect opportunity for me to make a substantial career change.

What made your DESIGNATION experience unique?
I loved the space. 1871 is a unique environment that fosters creativity, makes it easy to network, and allows you to scavenge for leftover food. It’s in the heart of Chicago, with beautiful views of the city.

What was your favorite part of the DESIGNATION experience?
The people. Through instructors, lecturers, events, clients, and classmates, I built an instant network of connections in the design industry who all continually root for my success. The fact that each student made substantial sacrifices to come to DESIGNATION engendered a mutual respect and admiration among classmates, which enriched the overall experience. Also…free beer on Fridays at 1871’s TGIF events.What did you find was the most useful skill, tool, or experience from your time in the program?
Learning to ask for feedback early and often. Nobody gets it right the first time.

What are the people at DESIGNATION like (including staff, instructors and fellow students)?
DESIGNATION is very much a work-hard, play-hard culture. People in my cohort were driven, friendly, and eager to learn. They keep their expectations high, while maintaining a supportive and tight-knit community.

“Ask for feedback early and often. Nobody gets it right the first time.”

What advice can you give to someone trying to start in the design industry?
People in this industry are incredibly supportive. Resources, mentorship, and advice are not hard to come by, so take advantage.